Why We Cloth Diaper

Blog Post: “Why We Cloth Diaper.”

Benefits:

1.      Eco Friendly

2.      Hypo-Allergenic

3.      No Harmful Materials

4.      Reusable

5.      Budget Friendly

Types of Cloth Diaper

1. Flats

Large square of single-layered folded in several different ways, one of the cheapest ways to cloth diaper, simply cover with a water-proof cover.

2. Prefolds

Rectangle piece of fabric divided into three sections with the middle section having added layers of absorbent fabric, cover with a water-proof cover, great for Newborns.

3. Fitteds

Shaped like a disposable diaper, closed with Velcro or snaps and made to fit your baby’s body. Cover with a water-proof cover.

4. Hybrids

A cross between a disposable and a cloth diaper, you can use a disposable or washable insert. Cover with a water-proof cover.

5.   Pockets

Stuff the diaper with an absorbent insert and you’re done! Very Daddy and babysitter friendly.

6.      Sleeve Diapers

Similar to pockets but they have two opens, one in the front and one in the back. There is no need to remove the insert - simply put it in the washing machine and the agitation of the machine removes it for you.

7.   All-in-twos

Similar to pockets but you snap the inserts to the diaper (one of my personal favorite types). They are not water-proof so you need to use a cover.

8. All-in-Ones

One piece - no stuffing required - the easiest cloth diaper but often the most expensive and they take a long time to dry.

Cloth Diaper Safe Laundry Detergent:

·         Arm and Hammer Baby detergent- Fragrance free

·         Nellie’s All Natural Laundry Soda

·         Rockin’ Green Unscented Cloth Diaper detergent

·         Seventh Generation Delicate Care laundry detergent

·         Eco Nuts Liquid or nuts

DIY Cloth Diaper Laundry Soap

            Equal Parts

·         Baking Soda

·         Washing Soda

   For an extra soaking add 2 tsps of Borax in you soak cycle after you first rinse.

·         Small Load : 1 TBLSP

·         Med Load:   2 TBLSP

·         Large Load: 2 ½ TBLSP

You can add your favorite essential oil to your laundry if you want a special scent.

It is not recommended to use dryer sheets with your cloth diapers, it can affect the absorbency of the diapers.

Try Wool Dryer balls for a natural/organic eco-friendly alternative.

You can also line dry them - also referred to as “sunning”. This helps to sanitize and natural bleach your diapers so they stay nice and white; and they will smell amazing.

I currently wash diapers Tuesday and Saturday. I do not dry them in the dryer. Sometimes I have to do them a day early or a day later if the weather is not compatible for me hanging them on the clothes line. (I love my clothes line btw, total life saver and so budget friendly.)

Here is my current wash routine.

·         Quick rinse in cold

·         One soak cycle with 2 tps of borax in hot water

·         One regular cycle with laundry soap in warm water

·         Two quick rinses with cold water

I have an apartment size washing machine that has a speedy cycle that I use for the quick rinses. And make sure you adjust the water level on your machine, you don’t want to waste water if you don’t need to. I normally use 3 gals of water for every cycle I do for a total of 15 gals of water per wash routine and I do that twice a week.

You can easily do the math to see how much it will cost to wash them. I would highly recommend that you do.

                                                                                                                                                                   Now the question that I get asked the most: “So why do you cloth diaper?”

When I was first pregnant with our son Ethan I never gave a thought to cloth diapering, it was a foreign concept to me. I started seeing how expensive disposable diapers were and I remember thinking to myself how ridiculous that was. At that time I knew only one family that cloth diapered. I started researching cloth diapers and all that entailed and asking tons of questions. I added some cloth diapers to my baby registry that are similar to the gDiapers from Babies-R-Us.  As a baby shower gift a dear friend of mine gave me my first newborn stash of cloth diapers. To say that I was excited would be an understatement

.

We started using cloth diapers off and on until Ethan was 6 months old and now thanks to fleece and wool covers we use cloth 95% of the time.

We have found that Ethan has very sensitive skin and the disposable diapers he can wear are the more expensive ones and it’s a lot cheaper to use cloth diapers. As I prefer to use all natural things to begin with, it makes sense for me to use cloth diapers.

Did you know that it takes a whole year for a disposable diaper to decompose in a landfill? Kind of alarming is it not? I would not call myself a tree hugger or a crunchy Mom but I tend to lean that way in many areas of my life. I will be blogging about different topics that relate to being crunchy later on.

Most of the cloth diapers I have are gently used in excellent condition. The only cloth diapers that I have that I bought new are the pockets diapers. I love all the prints that they come in. I bought them off of EBay for no more than $7 each including shipping. We no longer use pockets; we found out the hard way that Ethan is allergic to Microfiber and all the pockets I have use the Microfiber inserts, so we switched to Fitteds and All-in-Twos with water-proof (PUL) covers. I buy my diapers from other moms on cloth diaper Facebook pages; be careful when doing this, research the diapers that you are interested in to make sure they are asking a fair price. Do your research and both parties will benefit from it. I have bought some used diapers off of EBay and for the most part I haven’t had any issues; the one time I did have a problem I contacted the seller and got a total refund. Remember you are paying money for them and if they are not to your satisfaction then you need to communicate that to sell. I will talk about WAHM products another time.

I hope you found this post helpful and if you have any questions about cloth diapering please let me know. I am co-admin of a cloth diapering group on Facebook, if you would like to join please let me know in the comments or message me on Facebook for an invite. Happy Cloth Diapering!! J

Its been awhile...

Hi Everyone!!!!
So its been awhile almost 2 months. Life has been really busy here at the Boston home.
Ethan is growing like a weed and is all boy, he loves being dirty, playing outside, Thomas the tank engine and friend, Lego's and food. I can't believe he will be turning 2 in a few short months, time surely does fly when you are having fun.

I have been working on my annual Spring cleaning its slow going but its going.
I am going to be trying to post weekly if not twice a week. I am going to be posting about different topics such as cloth diapers, babywearing, gardening, gluten free, clean eating and yoga. I love feedback so please feel free to leave a comment or if there is a topic that you would like to know more about please let me know.

I plan on posting later tonight on "Why We Cloth Diaper."
Have a great afternoon.
Katie

Oh Boy.....

Well I've done it now, I started this blog less than a month ago and I have already missed at least two blog post. I am going to have to try harder. 

So a update on what has happened these past 2 weeks.
The week after my last post I did not make a meal plan or make a shopping list and because of it I over bought a ton of groceries. I did not over spend but I could have save at least $10 if I had. Lesson learned Always meal plan and make a grocery list. So because I didn't do either of those things this past week has been cooking with whatever is in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry and only buying the essentials. I now I have a very cleaned out freezer and refrigerator.This weekend I am working on my menu for this coming week and checking the local supermarkets sales, so far so good. I do not have my whole week planned out but by tomorrow afternoon I hope to have it done.
  
This last weekend was my birthday and my amazing Hubby surprised me with a new sewing machine, so this was spent learning and playing with my new machine, it was so much fun I can't wait to do it again.

I made my own cloth diaper safe tushie cream and it came out great. You can find the recipe at the bottom of this post. I also made a diy cloth diaper safe laundry detergent as well and I will include the recipe at the bottom of this post as well. All and all it was a successful week and an added bonus is that my house looks pretty neat and clean as well, a girl couldn't ask for more.

Well I am going to close this post and I will try and post my Meal plan for this week. Have a great weekend Everyone!!


Cloth Diaper Safe Tushie Cream

1 oz Shea butter
1 oz Bees wax
1/2 cup of Coconut oil
15 drops of Lavender essential oil
5 drops of Tea Tree essential oil

Put shea butter, bees wax and coconut in a glass bowl and melt it down in the microwave or you can use a double broiler its completely up to you.
Once all of your ingredients are melted down add the essential oils and mix well. Store it in a plastic or glass container.
I bought my ingredient off of eBay and I bought organic since it was going on my little guys tushie. :-)


Cloth Diaper Safe Laundry detergent

1 cup of borax
1 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda 
1 cup of Oxi Clean

Mix all the ingredients together and you are set.

You can make as much or less as you want just add equal parts of everything. To make a large batch it will cost around $13 and you will have enough detergent to last you at least of 6 months probably closer to 9. 
Use 1 tablespoon per load.
 Enjoy!

Cookies

Okay so who can resist a moist, melt in your mouth cookie? I know I can't especially with a cup of tea or coffee. 
Every week I try and make a batch of cookies this doesn't always happen but I try.
Here are some of the cookie recipes that I've made recently.

Raspberry-almond shortbread cookies

yield: 36 cookies

 

prep time: 30 minutes, chill 1 hr

 

cook time: 10 minutes per batch

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup seedless red raspberry jam
sugar for sprinkling
1 cup powdered sugar
3 to 4 teaspoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl beat butter medium speed for about 30 seconds. Add the the 2/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Beat until well combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with electric mixer and then using a wooden spoon stir in any remaining flour. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Using your thumb, press an indentation into the center of each ball. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the jam into each indentation and then sprinkle with sugar. Bake about 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool on cookie sheets for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to wire racks to finish cooling.

3. For icing, in a medium bowl combine powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon water and 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract. Add enough of the remaining water to make a drizzling consistency. Drizzle cookies with icing.

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

This recipe is amazing! I have yet to find a peanut butter cookie I like better!

ingredients

• 1 cup butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup peanut butter
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 bag chocolate kisses

instructions

1. Cream Butter and sugars together in a large bowl.
2. Add peanut butter and mix well.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well combined.
4. Add baking soda, salt, and flour and mix until well incorporated.
5. Roll into 1 inch balls and then roll each bowl into sugar.
6. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes.
7. Immediately when done baking, gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
8. Place on a cooling rack and let cool completely.
9. 
   

The Ultimate Healthy Soft & Chewy
Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are so thick and buttery that no one will believe they’re light! They’ll stay soft for a week if stored in an airtight container.

2 c all-purpose flour (measured correctly)

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp cornstarch

¼ tsp salt

6 tbsp butter, melted

2 egg whites, at room temperature

1 tbsp skim milk

4 tsp vanilla extract

1 c light brown sugar

¼ c regular semisweet chocolate chips

2 tbsp mini semisweet chocolate chips, divided

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. In a separate bowl,

whisk together the melted butter and egg whites until fluffy. Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Stir

in the brown sugar, smearing out any clumps along the side of the bowl. Add in the flour mixture,

stirring just until incorporated. Fold in the regular chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of mini

chocolate chips. Cover the top with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes. 

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F, and line two baking sheets with  parchment paper.

3. Roll the chilled cookie dough into 24 balls, and place on the prepared baking sheets. Press 5 or 6

mini chocolate chips into the top of each. Flatten slightly to about ¾” thick. Bake at 350°F for 10-12

minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to sit on the warm baking sheet for 10

minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

Notes: I highly recommend chilling for 2 hours or more, preferably 4 hours. If you’re running short on

time, remove the cookie dough from the bowl, and place between two sheets of plastic wrap. Gently

press to 1” thick, and freeze for 20 minutes. (With more surface area and a colder temperature, it’ll be

similar to chilling for 4 hours in the refrigerator.) 

Do NOT over bake these cookies! After 10-12 minutes in the oven, they’ll still look and feel slightly

underdone, but they’ll continue to bake and set on the warm baking sheet for the 10 minutes after. 

Snickerdoodles Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 1 TB vanila
• 1 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 2 3/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/8 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 tsp. cinnamon
• 4 TB sugar

Instructions

1. Cream butter, shortening and sugar by hand in a mixing bowl. 
2. Add eggs and vanilla and cream together.
3. In a separate bowl combine, cream of tartar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until well combined.
4. Refrigerate for 30 - 45 minutes.
5. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Form dough into small balls, roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture and then place on a greased cookie sheet. 
6. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes.

These cookies are amazing! Please let me know if you try them how you like them. I would love to hear from you. Enjoy!

Meal Plan Week 2

Meal Plan Week 2 

Sunday 1/12:

Beef roast with Roasted Onion, Potatoes, Carrots, Artisan Bread, Salad and Coconut Cream Pie

Monday 1/13:

Kielbasa, with onions, fennel bulb, mixed peppers over rice and Brownies

Tuesday 1/14:

Italian Homemade Pizza

Wednesday 1/15:

Japanese Beef Curry

Thursday 1/16:

Meatball-Tortellini Soup 

Friday 1/17:

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling and Steamed vegetables 

Saturday 1/18:

Penne with Butternut Squash.

I have been trying to find new and healthy recipes each week so far its been so much fun. I bought the Food Network Magazine for Jan/Feb and they had some amazing recipes so I had to include them in my menu this week. 

Later today I will be posting Part 2 to the Meal Planning post last week. 

The main thing to remember is to be flexible and learn to substitute. This week I substituted the sausage in one of my recipes for kielbasa because kielbasa was on sale and sausage was not. The recipes for this week are posted below, enjoy and let me know what you think. 

Kielbasa and Peppers:

2 lbs Kielbasa

2 tlbsp olive oil

3 assorted bell peppers

1 fennel chopped

1 lg onion

3 cloves garlic

½ tsp hot pepper flakes

½  tsp fennel seeds

15 oz diced tomatoes

1 tlbsp Basil

1.      Pierce Kielbasa link all over and place in pan, sire until golden brown on each side about 5 mins. Remove from pan and let cool.

2.      Heat oil in the pan over medium heat, Add bell peppers, onions, fennel  cook for 3 mins. Add seasonings and cook for 1 min.

3.      Stir in ½ cup of water, tomatoes and basil. Reduce heat to medium ; cover and cook till vegetables are tender about 5 mins.

4.      Cut Kielbasa into wedges and add to pot and cook for 5 mins. Add water if the sauce is to thick.

Japanese Beef Curry

4 tblsp unsalted butter

1 lg turnip

2 potatoes diced

1 onion

Kosher salt

3 tblsp flour

2 tblsp curry powder

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup frozen carrots and peas

12 oz of beef cubes

Cooked Rice

1.      Melt 1 tblsp butter in a large pan add turnips, potatoes, all but 2 tlbsp of onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3 mins and remove to a plate.

2.      Melt 2 tblsp butter sprinkle in flour and curry powder stir for 1 min. Gradually whisk in broth until smooth. Return potato mixture to the pot; add peas and carrots. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium , cover and let simmer for 10 mins; uncover and let simmer for 5 mins more.

3.      Season the steak with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tblsp of butter over medium heat; cook for 4 mins on each side. Let rest for 5 mins, then slice against the grain.

Then Serve.

Meatball- Tortellini Soup

8 oz ground beef

¼ cup Parmesan cheese plus more for topping

1 lg egg

1 clove garlic

2 tlbsp olive oil

2 carrots diced

1 stalk celery

1 qt chicken broth

8 oz tortellini

4 cups spinach

1 .Combine beef, Parmesan cheese, lg egg garlic ½ tsp salt and pepper mix until all combine. 

Make into small meatballs.

2. Heat oil in a pot and cook meatballs  for 5 mins. Remove to plate. Add carrots and celery cook til tender takes 5 mins. Add the broth and 3 cups of water; bring to a boil, return meatballs to pot. 

3. Add tortellini and cook  till they float to the top . Add spinach and cook. Top with Parmesan.

Enjoy!

End of the Week!

Since it is Friday I have a list of things I would like to complete before my weekend starts. I find that when I complete or at least check off a few things on my list I feel like I can relax a little bit more on the weekend. Here is my list for Friday.

1. Work on my meal plan and print out recipes.
2. Write out Shopping list.
3. Complete my household chore list.

• Sweep and wash floors
• Dust 
• Vacuum
• Clean Bathroom
• Strip beds
• Wash Ethan's Cloth Diapers

My general rule of thumb is to make my weekends lighter so I have extra time to spend with my Family and if we want to go on a day trip I don't end up feeling guilty when I get home for not having it all done. Lets be realistic who want a ton of chores looming over your head while you're out and about, I know I don't. This also frees up my weekends so that I can work on my hobbies.

So tell me, What are your weekend routines? I am interested to see what everyone does to prep for the weekend.

Watch out for tomorrows blog posts 1.) Topic will be Meal Planning Part 2: Flexibility and 2.) My Meal Plan for Next Week.

Have a great Friday Night!!!

Meal Planning Part One

My steps to create a budget friendly meal plan.

1. Pick up your local Supermarket sale ad. 
2. Look  for recipes that coincide with the sale items. 
3. Write out your meal plan.
4. Print or save  your recipes that you will be using for the week.
5. Write out your shopping list.
6. Shop!

I normally find my ideas for recipes on Pinterest. If you don't have pinterest I highly recommend it. I am on there constantly for diy project, recipes and just in general. It can be very addicting, you have been warned :-) 

When I am planning my meals for the week, I plan th

em around the sale in my local supermarket for me its Shoprite because they double my coupons so it is a win for me. My normal strategy for meal planning is 4 meat proteins and 2 vegetarian proteins, this doesn't always happen but I try. And in the Fall - Early Spring I make a soup per week and freeze the rest for my husband's lunches during the week. Here is my meal plan for this week.

~Monday~  

Pollock Fish with Wild Rice and Salad

~Tuesday~

Tom Ka Soup

I added tofu to the soup to add some protein.

~Wednesday~

Stuffed Pepper with Ground Beef and a Side Side of Pasta in a Garlic Butter Sauce.

~Thursday~

One Skillet White Bean and Keilbasa Stew.

~Friday~

Beef Pot Roast with Carrots, Onions and Potatoes.

~Saturday~

One Pan Pasta

~Sunday~

Leftovers!!!

I normally make dessert during the week but I don't plan them unless I want to make something really special that calls for something that I don't normally have in my kitchen.

Links to recipes

One Skillet White Bean Sausage Stew

Tom Ka Soup

One Pan Pasta

Hope you enjoyed this post and that you find it helpful. 

Please feel free to leave a comment.

Have a Good night

Katie